Direct-to-consumer women’s healthcare platform Nurx has expanded its at-home dermatology services to include treatment for rosacea.

Nurx launched the first of its dermatology treatment services earlier this year for acne, and through that found a significant portion of patients mistook their rosacea for acne when seeking treatment, the company said in its announcement.

“We know that many of our current patients experience rosacea and that many people with rosacea haven’t received proper diagnosis or treatment and may lack access to specialized care,” Dr. Jennifer Peña, the chief medical officer of Nurx, said in a statement.

“The combination of our provider team’s clinical acumen and the Nurx telehealth platform will allow us to make high-quality medical care broadly accessible to those who need it.”

To receive rosacea treatment through Nurx, patients share their health history through the platform and upload photos of their skin. From there, a licensed medical provider from Nurx reviews the patient information, provides a diagnosis and devises a treatment plan that includes an oral or topical medication. The prescription will then be filled and mailed directly to the patient’s door.

Nurx also offers anti-aging retinoid topical creams and has plans to expand its acne treatments to teenagers later this summer.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Rosacea is a chronic yet treatable condition that affects 16 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. It is most common among women and in people with fair skin.

The condition typically manifests on the facial skin and is linked to depression, anxiety and social isolation, according to Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology. In fact, the AAD estimates that the lost productivity among patients and caregivers due to rosacea was $78 million in 2013.

“Skin problems can have a negative impact on self-esteem and mental health, and there is no reason that a patient should have to hunt for a referral from a primary care doctor or drive for hours to see a dermatologist in order to receive this important care,” Varsha Rao, Nurx CEO, said in a statement.

THE LARGER TREND

Nurx got its start offering prescriptions for birth control and PrEP via telehealth. Since then, it has grown to include at-home STI and COVID-19 testing, as well as treatments for migraine headaches.

The company completed a Series C funding round last summer that brought its total funding to $113 million.

Competitors who also offer mail-order prescription health services include Hims & Hers, which recently went public through an SPAC merger with Oaktree Acquisition. There’s also Ro, which strengthened its women’s health offerings with its recent acquisition of Modern Fertility.